| N-2 | 9 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2022 |
| Cover [Abstract] | | |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001925309 | |
| Amendment Flag | false | |
| Securities Act File Number | 814-01543 | |
| Document Type | 10-K | |
| Entity Registrant Name | Sixth Street Lending Partners | |
| Entity Address, Address Line One | 2100 McKinney Avenue | |
| Entity Address, Address Line Two | Suite 1500 | |
| Entity Address, City or Town | Dallas | |
| Entity Address, State or Province | TX | |
| Entity Address, Postal Zip Code | 75201 | |
| City Area Code | 469 | |
| Local Phone Number | 621-3001 | |
| Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | No | |
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | true | |
| Entity Ex Transition Period | false | |
| Financial Highlights [Abstract] | | |
| Senior Securities, Note [Text Block] | Senior Securities Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred shares unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred shares is at least 150%. We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our Common Shares if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after any borrowing or issuance. In addition, while any preferred shares or publicly-traded debt securities are outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions to our shareholders or repurchasing securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratio at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. The 1940 Act imposes limitations on a BDC’s issuance of preferred shares, which is considered a “senior security” and thus is subject to the 150% asset coverage requirement described above. As of December 31, 2022, our asset coverage was 201.6% . | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Investment Objectives and Practices [Text Block] | Our Investment Framework Our investment objective is to generate current income by targeting investments with favorable “risk-adjusted returns,” which are expected returns that are adjusted based on the levels of risk associated with the investments. We seek to generate current income and long-term capital appreciation primarily by investing in U.S.-domiciled upper middle-market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds, equity securities, and other instruments. By “upper middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of greater than $75 million, although we may invest in smaller companies on occasion. “EBITDA” means a company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. We seek to create a portfolio that includes primarily senior secured by primarily investing approximately $200 million to $500 million of capital, on average, in the securities of upper middle-market companies. The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3), which is often referred to as “junk. The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). As of December 31, 2022, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 17.3% of our total investment portfolio. As of December 31, 2022, the average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $80.9 million based on fair value. Through our Adviser, we consider potential investments utilizing a four-tiered investment framework and against our existing portfolio as a whole: Business and sector selection. We will focus on companies with enterprise values above $750 million. When reviewing potential investments, we will seek to invest in businesses with high marginal cash flow, recurring revenue streams and where we believe credit quality will improve over time. We will look for portfolio companies that we think have a sustainable competitive advantage in growing industries or distressed situations. We will also seek companies where our investment will have a low loan-to-value ratio. We currently do not limit our focus to any specific industry and we may invest in larger or smaller companies. As of December 31, 2022, the largest industry represented 32.4% of our total investment portfolio based on fair value. Investment Structuring. We focus on investing at the top of the capital structure and protecting that position. As of December 31, 2022, approximately 99.0% of our portfolio was invested in secured debt, including 99.0% in first-lien debt investments. We carefully perform diligence and structure investments to include strong investor covenants. As a result, we structure investments with a view to creating opportunities for early intervention in the event of non-performance or stress. In addition, we seek to retain effective voting control in investments over the loans or particular class of securities in which we invest through maintaining affirmative voting positions or negotiating consent rights that allow us to retain a blocking position. We also aim for our loans to mature on a medium term, between two to six years after origination. For the period ended December 31, 2022, the weighted average term on new investment commitments in new portfolio companies was 5.9 years. Deal Dynamics. We will focus on, among other deal dynamics, direct origination of investments, where we identify and lead the investment transaction. We seek transactions that are too small for the traditional high yield market. We look to invest in companies that value our commitment and ability to originate an investment that meets their goals and fits within their existing capital structure. Risk Mitigation. We seek to mitigate non-credit-related risk on our returns in several ways, including call protection provisions to protect future interest income. As of December 31, 2022, we had call protection on 100% of our debt investments based on fair value, with weighted average call prices of 104.1% for the first year, 102.1% for the second year and 100.9% for the third year, in each case from the date of the initial investment. As of December 31, 2022, 100% of our debt investments based on fair value bore interest at floating rates, with 100% of these subject to interest rate floors, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation. Robust mitigation . We will seek to mitigate non-credit-related risk on our returns in several ways, including call protection provisions to protect future payment income. In addition, most of our investments are floating rate in nature, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation. | |
| Risk Factors [Table Text Block] | ITEM 1A. RIS K FACTORS Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described below. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Summary of Risk Factors The following is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results. Risks Related to Our Business and Structure • We are a relatively new company and have a limited operating history. • Our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without prior shareholder approval. • We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success. • We are subject to significant regulations governing our operation as a BDC, which affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. Changes in regulation could adversely affect our business. • We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us. • We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. • If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective. • Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. • To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses. • We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements. • We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax. • Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest. • Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street. Any new investment advisory agreement would require shareholder approval. • The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account. • Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility. • Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us. • Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies. • Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval. • The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2023 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes. Risks Related to Economic Conditions • The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations. • Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. • Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results. Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments • Our investments are very risky and highly speculative. • The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser. • The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business. • Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry. • We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks. • Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments. • We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates. • We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital. • By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks. • Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies. • We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases. • Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments. • Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted. • Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties. • We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future. • Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. • We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions. • The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes. • If we cease to be eligible for an exemption from regulation as a commodity pool operator, our compliance expenses could increase substantially. • Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues. • If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company, certain U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholders’ allocable share of the Management and Incentive Fees paid to our investment adviser and certain of our other expenses, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholders. • There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest. Risks Related to Our Securities • An investment in our Common Shares will have limited liquidity. • There is a risk that investors in our Common Shares may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time. • Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk. • Our shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan. General Risk Factors • Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business. • The effect of global climate change may impact the operations of our portfolio companies. | |
| Effects of Leverage [Table Text Block] | Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2022
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (net of expenses) (1)
-10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
Corresponding return to shareholder (2) - 26.2 % - 16.2 % - 6.2 % 3.8 % 13.7 % (1) The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2022. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2022 . (2) In order to compute the “Corresponding return to shareholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2022 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 6.3% by the approximately $538.0 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2022 to determine the “Corresponding return to shareholder.” | |
| Return at Minus Ten [Percent] | (26.20%) | [1],[2] |
| Return at Minus Five [Percent] | (16.20%) | [1],[2] |
| Return at Zero [Percent] | (6.20%) | [1],[2] |
| Return at Plus Five [Percent] | 3.80% | [1],[2] |
| Return at Plus Ten [Percent] | 13.70% | [1],[2] |
| Risks Related to Our Business and Structure [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | Risks Related to Our Business and Structure • We are a relatively new company and have a limited operating history. • Our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without prior shareholder approval. • We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success. • We are subject to significant regulations governing our operation as a BDC, which affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. Changes in regulation could adversely affect our business. • We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us. • We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. • If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective. • Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. • To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses. • We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements. • We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax. • Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest. • Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street. Any new investment advisory agreement would require shareholder approval. • The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account. • Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility. • Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us. • Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies. • Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval. • The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2023 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes. Risks Related to Our Business and Structure We are a relatively new company and have a limited operating history. The Company is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record or history on which to base their investment decision. We are subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and the value of a shareholder’s investment could decline substantially or become worthless. Further, the Adviser has not previously offered a non-traded BDC. While we believe that the past professional experiences of the Adviser’s investment team, including investment and financial experience of the Adviser’s senior management, will increase the likelihood that the Adviser will be able to manage the Company successfully, there can be no assurance that this will be the case. Our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without prior shareholder approval. Our Board of Trustees may, without shareholder vote, subject to certain exceptions, amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration of Trust supplemental thereto or an amended and restated Declaration of Trust, including without limitation to classify the Board of Trustees, to impose advance notice provisions for Trustee nominations or for shareholder proposals and to require super-majority approval of transactions with significant shareholders or other provisions that may be characterized as anti-takeover in nature. We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success. We depend on the experience, diligence, skill and network of business contacts of senior members of our Investment Team. Our Investment Team, together with other professionals at Sixth Street and its affiliates, identifies, evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and manages our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the senior members of our Investment Team. The senior members of our Investment Team are not contractually restricted from leaving the Adviser. The departure of any of these key personnel, including members of our Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, we cannot assure you that the Adviser will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Sixth Street or its investment professionals. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice. Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. See “ ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Regulation as a Business Development Company ” for a discussion of BDC limitations. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in securities of nonpublic or thinly traded U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. These constraints may hinder the Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective. We may need to periodically access the debt and equity capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments in excess of our repayments, and we may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent such maturing obligations are not repaid with availability under our revolving credit facilities or cash flows from operations. Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital, and the ways in which we can do so. Raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage, and may result in dilution to our current shareholders. The 1940 Act limits our ability to incur borrowings and issue debt securities and preferred shares, which we refer to as senior securities, requiring that after any borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred shares, is at least 150%. We may need to continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets may limit our ability to refinance our existing debt obligations as they come due and/or to fully execute our business strategy and could limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our business, which could decrease our earnings, if any. Consequently, if the value of our assets declines or we are unable to access the capital markets we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when this may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our Common Shareholders. If we borrow money or issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. If we issue preferred shares, the preferred shares would rank senior to Common Shares in our capital structure. Preferred shareholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and may have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common shareholders. The issuance of preferred shares could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our Common Shares or otherwise be in the best interest of holders of our Common Shares. Holders of our Common Shares will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred shares that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred shareholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our Common Shares and the rights of holders of shares of preferred shares to receive dividends would be senior to those of holders of our Common Shares. Our Board may decide to issue additional Common Shares to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. However, we generally are not able to issue and sell our Common Shares at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, elect to issue and sell our Common Shares, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our Common Shares, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our Common Shares if our Board determines that the sale is in the Company’s best interest and the best interests of the Company’s shareholders, and the Company’s shareholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. We may in the future seek such approval; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our Board, closely approximates the market value of those securities (less any distribution commission or discount). In the event we sell our Common Shares at a price below net asset value per share, existing shareholders will experience net asset value dilution. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share and would cause a proportionately greater decrease in the shareholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. Because the number of Common Shares that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted. In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we could securitize our investments to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize our investments, we likely would create a wholly owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who we would expect would be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of investments before any of the debt securities would be exposed to the losses. An inability to successfully securitize our investment portfolio could limit our ability to grow or fully execute our business and could adversely affect our earnings, if any. The successful securitization of our investment could expose us to losses because the portions of the securitized investments that we would typically retain tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The 1940 Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization. In connection with any future securitization of investments, we may incur greater set-up and administration fees relating to such vehicles than we have in connection with financing of our investments in the past. See “— Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks .” We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us. As part of our business strategy, we borrow from and may in the future issue additional senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these loans or senior securities would have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that have priority over the claims of our shareholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed. This decline could negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our Common Shares. Our ability to service our borrowings depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, the Management Fee is payable based on our gross assets, including cash and assets acquired through the use of leverage, which may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “ —Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser .” The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Adviser’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us. Our credit facilities and indentures governing our indebtedness also impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, remedies on default and similar matters. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are in compliance with the covenants of our credit facilities and indentures. However, our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, although we believe we will continue to be in compliance, we cannot assure you that we will continue to comply with the covenants in our credit facilities and indentures. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default. If we were unable to obtain a waiver of a default from the lenders or holders of that indebtedness, as applicable, those lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under that indebtedness. An acceleration could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lastly, we may be unable to obtain additional leverage, which would, in turn, affect our return on capital. As of December 31, 2022, we had $538.0 million principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, which had an annualized interest cost of 6.3% under the terms of our debt, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of upfront fees). For us to cover these annualized interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our investments of at least 1.1%. Since we generally pay interest at a floating rate on our debt, an increase in interest rates will generally increase our borrowing costs. We expect that our annualized interest cost and returns required to cover interest will increase if we issue additional debt securities. In order to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage, the following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our Common Shares assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of shareholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below. Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2022
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (net of expenses) (1)
-10% -5% 0% 5% 10%
Corresponding return to shareholder (2) - 26.2 % - 16.2 % - 6.2 % 3.8 % 13.7 % (1) The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2022. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2022 . (2) In order to compute the “Corresponding return to shareholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2022 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 6.3% by the approximately $538.0 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2022 to determine the “Corresponding return to shareholder.” Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before it matures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our shareholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements. Legislation allows us to incur additional leverage. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred shares unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred shares is at least 200%. However, under the SBCAA, which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or shareholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions. As a result, you may face increased investment risk. We may not be able to implement our strategy to utilize additional leverage successfully. See “ — We operate in a highly competitive environment for investment opportunities .” Any impact on returns or equity or our business associated with additional leverage may not outweigh the additional risk. See “ — We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us. ” We may default under our future credit facilities. In the event we default under a credit facility or other borrowings, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under such credit facility, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the agent for the lenders under such borrowing facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Provisions in a credit facility may limit our investment discretion. A credit facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders will have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transferinstructions with respect to any such securities from the lender or its designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, any security interests and/or negative covenants required by a credit facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under a credit facility were to decrease, we may be required to secure additional assets in an amount sufficient to cure any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under a credit facility or make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions. In addition, we may be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests and investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge-offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, resultin an event of default. An event of default under a credit facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business. We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities. Other public and private entities, including commercial banks, commercial financing companies, other BDCs and insurance companies compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. Certain of these competitors may be substantially larger, have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have and offer a wider array of financial services. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, however, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss. In addition, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the restrictions that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. As a result, we face additional constraints on our operations, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage. As a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective. The competitive pressures we face could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective. Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Investment Team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms, including equity financing. Moreover, our ability to structure investments may also depend upon the participation of other prospective investors. For example, our ability to offer loans above a certain size and to structure loans in a certain way may depend on our ability to partner with other investors. As a result, we could fail to capture some investment opportunities if we cannot provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company either alone or with other investment partners. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our Investment Team may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. To grow, our Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and ability to achieve our investment objective. Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. The Management Fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of our gross assets at a specific time, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, and may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. However, prior to any Exchange Listing that may occur, the Adviser has waived its right to receive management fees in excess of the sum or 1.00% of the Company's average aggregate drawn capital (including capital drawn to pay Company expenses) as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, appropriately adjusted for any Common Share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. The fee waiver will termindate if and when the Company consummates an Exchange Listing. In addition, the Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets or your investment have decreased. The use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our Common Shares. Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions that our Adviser will make on our behalf, we may not be able to monitor this potential conflict of interest. The Incentive Fee is calculated as a percentage of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income. Since pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached in that quarter and, as a result, that an Incentive Fee is paid for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee. Also, one component of the Incentive Fee is calculated annually based upon our realized capital gains, computed net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on a cumulative basis. As a result, we may owe the Adviser an Incentive Fee during one year as a result of realized capital gains on certain investments, and then incur significant realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on the remaining investments in our portfolio during subsequent years. Incentive Fees earned in prior years cannot be clawed back even if we later incur losses. In addition, the Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. The Adviser receives the Incentive Fee based, in part, upon capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the Incentive Fee that is based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. As a result, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to income-producing investments. Such a practice could result in our making more speculative investments than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses. To maintain RIC status for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year, and may either distribute or retain our realized net capital gains from investments. Unless investors elect to reinvest dividends, earnings that we are required to distribute to shareholders will not be available to fund future investments. Accordingly, we may have insufficient funds to make new and follow-on investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Because of the structure and objectives of our business, we may experience operating losses and expect | |
| Risks Related to Economic Conditions [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | Risks Related to Economic Conditions • The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations. • Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. • Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results. Risks Related to Economic Conditions The COVID-19 pandemic has materially and adversely affected, and is likely to continue to materially and adversely affect, our portfolio companies and the results of our operations, including our financial results. The COVID-19 outbreak has led to, and for an unknown and potentially significant period of time will continue to lead to, disruptions in local, regional, national and global markets and economies affected thereby. To date, cross border commercial activity and market sentiment have been negatively impacted by the outbreak and government and other measures seeking to contain its spread. With respect to the U.S. credit markets, and middle market loans and the businesses of our portfolio companies in particular, this outbreak has resulted in, and is likely to continue to result in significant disruption to the businesses of many middle-market loan borrowers including supply chains, demand and practical aspects of their operations, as well as in lay-offs of employees and liquidity issues. We cannot predict when, or if, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may lessen, including whether new variants will emerge and how severe they will be. As a result, these conditions could result in (i) increased draws by some eligible borrowers on revolving lines of credit and/or (ii) increased requests by some borrowers for amendments and waivers of their credit agreements to avoid default, increased defaults by such borrowers and/or increased difficulty in obtaining refinancing at the maturity dates of their loans. This outbreak and its effects are having, and the effects of any future outbreaks could have, an adverse impact on our portfolio companies and us and on the markets and the economy in general, and that impact could be material. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic may heighten the other risk factors described in this Annual Report. Inflation and Supply Chain Risk Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had in the past, and may in the future have, negative effects on economies and financial markets, particularly in emerging economies. For example, wages and prices of inputs increase during periods of inflation, which can negatively impact returns on investments. In an attempt to stabilize inflation, countries may impose wage and price controls or otherwise intervene in the economy. Governmental efforts to curb inflation often have negative effects on the level of economic activity. There can be no assurance that inflation will not become a serious problem in the future and have an adverse impact on the Company's returns. Economic activity has continued to accelerate across sectors and regions. Nevertheless, due to global supply chain issues, a rise in energy prices and strong consumer demand as economies continue to reopen, inflation is showing signs of acceleration in the U.S. and globally. Inflation is likely to continue in the near to medium‐term, particularly in the U.S., with the possibility that monetary policy may tighten in response. Persistent inflationary pressures could affect our obligors’ profit margins. Additionally, the continuing trade dispute between the United States and China, pursuant to which both countries have, among other things, imposed tariffs on one another, has had an adverse economic effect on U.S. markets and international trade more broadly. This adverse economic effect is likely to become more pronounced if the dispute remains unresolved, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's portfolio investments. For example, existing and any additional supply chain and other laws, regulations, or executive orders by either country that restrict or prohibit transactions or impose requirements or limitations on business could impair the ability of U.S.-based companies (in which the Company is likely to invest) to expand into markets in China and the ability of such companies’ to produce or obtain component parts necessary for production. Also, for the foreseeable future, the trade dispute will likely continue to be an ongoing source of instability, resulting in significant currency fluctuations, increased capital markets volatility, and other adverse effects on international markets, international trade agreements, and other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory or otherwise), which could present similar and additional potential risks and consequences for the Company and is portfolio investments. We are currently operating in a period of disruption, volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets and in the economy generally. The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and globally. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus could lead to a world-wide economic downturn. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. The federal government and the Federal Reserve, as well as foreign governments and central banks, have implemented significant fiscal and monetary policies in response to these disruptions, and additional government and regulatory responses may be possible. These actions, future market disruptions and illiquidity could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations and our ability to grow, and could have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments. We believe that attractive investment opportunities may present themselves during this volatile period as in other periods of market volatility, and we may have opportunities to make investments at compelling values. However, periods of market disruption and instability, like the one we are experiencing currently, may adversely affect our access to sufficient debt and equity capital in order to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities that are created during these periods. In addition, the debt capital that will be available in the future, if any, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions. The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations. The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, leading to periods of recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending. For instance, political uncertainty resulting from recent events, including changes to U.S. trade policies, the impact of the end of the transition period following United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in January 2020 (“Brexit”), the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the transition of presidential power in the United States, has led to disruption and instability in the global markets. Disruptions in the capital markets increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. We cannot assure you that these conditions will not worsen. If conditions worsen, a prolonged period of market illiquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results. In addition, to the extent that recessionary conditions return, the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, will likely experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced, and continue to experience, negative economic trends. The performances of certain of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may ultimately result in: • our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from our portfolio companies; • decreases in the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments; and • ultimately, losses or charge-offs related to our investments. Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to federal budget deficit concerns, S&P downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history on August 5, 2011. Further, Moody’s and Fitch warned that they may downgrade the federal government’s credit rating. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P or other rating agencies, and the government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our Common Shares. Also, to the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe and Brexit continue to negatively impact consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected. In October 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it was concluding its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities, suggesting that key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, had showed signs of improvement since the inception of the program. It is unclear what effect, if any, the conclusion of the Federal Reserve’s bond-buying program will have on the value of our investments. However, it is possible that, without quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, these developments, along with the United States government’s credit and deficit concerns and the European sovereign debt crisis, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Additionally, after raising the target range for the federal funds rate in 2017 and 2018, the Federal Reserve lowered the target rate three times in 2019 and two times in 2020. Following recent heightened inflation, the Federal Reserve raisee the target rate seven times in 2022, raising the fed funds rate by about three percentage points in a six month period. In 2023, it is possible that the Federal Reserve will raise the interest rates further. Further changes in key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, could lead to additional changes to the target range for the federal funds rate that may cause instability or may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. As a result of the 2022 U.S. election, the Democratic Party currently controls the executive branch of government, the Senate, while the Republican Party controls the House of Representatives. The divided U.S. Congress makes passage of legislation that could significantly affect the regulation of U.S. financial markets less likely. Despite the reduced likelihood of congressional action with respect to financial services, areas subject to potential change or amendment include the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Additionally, under the divided control of the Congress, the likelihood of a failure to increase the debt ceiling and a default by the federal government is increased. The United States may also potentially withdraw from, renegotiate or enter into various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the United States. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results. Many of the portfolio companies in which we make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and during these periods may be unable to repay the loans we made to them. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record our investments at their current fair value. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our and our portfolio companies’ funding costs, limit our and our portfolio companies’ access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us or our portfolio companies. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results. A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. | |
| Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments • Our investments are very risky and highly speculative. • The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser. • The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business. • Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry. • We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks. • Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments. • We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates. • We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital. • By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks. • Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies. • We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases. • Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments. • Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted. • Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties. • We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future. • Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. • We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions. • The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes. • If we cease to be eligible for an exemption from regulation as a commodity pool operator, our compliance expenses could increase substantially. • Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues. • If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company, certain U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholders’ allocable share of the Management and Incentive Fees paid to our investment adviser and certain of our other expenses, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholders. • There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest. Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments Our investments are very risky and highly speculative. We primarily invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt or equity or other securities issued by upper middle-market companies. The companies in which we intend to invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in these companies are not rated by any rating agency. If these instruments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3, which is often referred to as “junk”). Exposure to below investment grade instruments involves certain risks, including speculation with respect to the borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. First-Lien Debt . When we make a first-lien loan, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise, and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien is, or could become, subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we need to enforce our remedies. In addition, in connection with our “last out” first-lien loans, we enter into agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, our interest in the collateral of the first-lien loans may rank junior to those of other lenders in the loan under certain circumstances. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal on these loans. Second-Lien and Mezzanine Debt . Our investments in second-lien and mezzanine debt generally are subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of insolvency. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal. Equity and Other Investments. When we invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt or mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities, such as warrants, options and convertible instruments. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. We seek to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of these interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. Preferred Shares. To the extent we invest in preferred securities, we may incur particular risks, including: • preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before we receive such distributions; • preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore are subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments; and • generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of trustees to the issuer’s board; generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights. In addition, our investments generally involve a number of significant risks, including: • the companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment; • the companies in which we invest typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; • the companies in which we invest are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us; • the companies in which we invest generally have less predictable operating results, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; • the debt investments in our portfolio generally have a significant portion of principal due at the maturity of the investment, which would result in a substantial loss to us if such borrowers are unable to refinance or repay their debt at maturity; • our executive officers, trustees and Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; • the companies in which we invest generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition and, if we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision; and • the companies in which we invest may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity. Subordinated Debt . Our subordinated debt investments will generally rank junior in priority of payment to senior debt and will generally be unsecured. This may resultin a heightened level of risk and volatility or a loss of principal, which could lead to the loss of the entire investment. These investments may involve additional risks that could adversely affect our investment returns. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt may be subject to greater fluctuations in valuations, and such debt could subject us and our shareholders to non-cash income. Because we will not receive any principal repayments prior to the maturity of some of our subordinated debt investments, such investments will be of greater risk than amortizing loans. Non-U.S . Securities . We may invest in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in non-U.S. currencies, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Because evidence of ownership of such securities usually is held outside the United States, we would be subject to additional risks if we invested in non-U.S. securities, which include possible adverse political and economic developments, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits and adoption of governmental restrictions, which might adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on the non-U.S. securities to shareholders located outside the country of the issuer, whether from currency blockage or otherwise. Because non-U.S. securities may be purchased with and payable in foreign currencies, the value of these assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. Junior, Unsecured Securities. Our strategy may entail acquiring securities that are junior or unsecured instruments. While this approach can facilitate obtaining control and then adding value through active management, it also means that certain of the Company’s investments may be unsecured. If a portfolio company becomes financially distressed or insolvent and does not successfully reorganize, we will have no assurance (compared to those distressed securities investors that acquire only fully collateralized positions) that we will recover any of the principal that we have invested. Similarly, investments in “last out” pieces of unitranche loans will be similar to second lien loans in that such investments will be junior in priority to the “first out” piece of the same unitranche loan with respect to payment of principal, interest and other amounts. Consequently, the fact that debt is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the debt’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the debt should it be forced to enforce its remedies. While such junior or unsecured investments may benefit from the same or similar financial and other covenants as those enjoyed by the indebtedness ranking more senior to such investments and may benefit from cross-default provisions and security over the issuer’s assets, some or all of such terms may not be part of particular investments. Moreover, our ability to influence an issuer’s affairs, especially during periods of financial distress or following insolvency, is likely to be substantially less than that of senior creditors. For example, under typical subordination terms, senior creditors are able to block the acceleration of the junior debt or the exercise by junior debt holders of other rights they may have as creditors. Accordingly, we may not be able to take steps to protect investments in a timely manner or at all, and there can be no assurance that our rate of return objectives or any particular investment will be achieved. In addition, the debt securities in which we will invest may not be protected by financial covenants or limitations upon additional indebtedness, may have limited liquidity and are not expected to be rated by a credit rating agency. Early repayments of our investments may have a material adverse effect on our investment objectives. In addition, depending on fluctuations of the equity markets and other factors, warrants and other equity investments may become worthless. There can be no assurance that attempts to provide downside protection through contractual or structural terms with respect to our investments will achieve their desired effect and potential investors should regard an investment in us as being speculative and having a high degree of risk. Furthermore, we have limited flexibility to negotiate terms when purchasing newly issued investments in connection with a syndication of mezzanine or certain other junior or subordinated investments or in the secondary market. “Covenant-lite” Obligations . We may invest in, or obtain exposure to, obligations that may be “covenant- lite,” which means such obligations lack certain financial maintenance covenants. While these loans may still contain other collateral protections, a covenant-lite loan may carry more risk than a covenant-heavy loan made by the same borrower, as it does not require the borrower to provide affirmation that certain specific financial tests have been satisfied on a routine basis as is required under a covenant-heavy loan agreement. Should a loan we hold begin to deteriorate in quality, our ability to negotiate with the borrower may be delayed under a covenant-lite loan compared to a loan with full maintenance covenants. This may in turn delay our ability to seek to recover its investment. Restructurings . Investments in companies operating in workout or bankruptcy modes present additional legal risks, including fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference and equitable subordination risks. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There is no assurance that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. Investing in upper middle market companies involves a number of significant risks, any one of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Investments in upper middle market companies involve the same risks that apply generally to investments in larger, more established companies. However, such investments have more pronounced risks in that upper middle market companies: • may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing on any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment; • have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tends to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns; • are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us; • generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. In addition, our executive officers, Trusteesand members of the Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies; and • may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity. An investment strategy focused primarily on privately-held companies presents certain challenges, including, but not limited to, the lack of available information about these companies. We intend to invest primarily in privately-held companies. Investments in private companies may pose greater risks than investments in public companies. First, private companies have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and the ability to withstand financial distress. Second, the depth and breadth of experience of management in private companies tends to be less than that at public companies, which makes such companies more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a smaller group of persons and/or persons with less depth and breadth of experience. Therefore, the decisions made by such management teams and/or the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our investments and, in turn, on us. Third, the investments themselves tend to be less liquid. As such, we may have difficulty exiting an investment promptly or at a desired price prior to maturity or outside of a normal repayment schedule. As a result, the relative lack of liquidity and the potential diminished capital resources of our target portfolio companies may affect our investment returns. Fourth, little public information generally exists about private companies. Further, these companies may not have third-party debt ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies. The Adviser would typically assess an investment in a portfolio company based on the Adviser’s estimate of the portfolio company’s earnings and enterprise value, among other factors, and these estimates may be based on limited information and may otherwise be inaccurate, causing the Adviser to make different investment decisions than it may have made with more complete information. These companies and their financial information will generally not be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to determine all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser. Investments are valued at the end of each fiscal quarter. The majority of our investments are expected to be in loans that do not have readily ascertainable market prices. The fair value of investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are determined in good faith by the Board, which is supported by the valuation committee of our Adviser and by the audit committee of our Board. The Board has retained independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited third-party valuation services that the Board identified and requested them to perform. In accordance with our valuation policy, our Investment Team prepares portfolio company valuations using sources or proprietary models depending on the availability of information on our investments and the type of asset being valued. The participation of the Adviser in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the Management Fee is based on the value of our gross assets. Factors that we may consider in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to similar publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because fair valuations, and particularly fair valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based to a large extent on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been determined if a ready market for these securities existed. This could make it more difficult for investors to value accurately our portfolio investments and could lead to undervaluation or overvaluation of our Common Shares. In addition, the valuation of these types of securities may result in substantial write-downs and earnings volatility. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized losses. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized losses in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business. We generally make loans to private companies. There may not be a ready market for our loans and certain loans may contain transfer restrictions, which may also limit liquidity. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell positions if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we hold a significant portion of a company’s equity or if we have material nonpublic information regarding that company. Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry. Our portfolio is currently invested in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries and may continue to be in the near future. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. While we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be focused on relatively few industries. For example, although we classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, many of our portfolio companies principally provide software products or services, which exposes us to downturns in that sector. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns. We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks. Although we have not done so to date, we may securitize certain of our investments in the future, including through the formation of one or more collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in that entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. If we were to create a CLO or other securitization vehicle, we would depend on distributions from the vehicle to pay dividends to our shareholders. The ability of a CLO or other securitization vehicle to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. For example, tests (based on interest coverage or other financial ratios or other criteria) may restrict our ability, as holder of a CLO or other securitization vehicle equity interest, to receive cash flow from these investments. We cannot assure you that any such performance tests would be satisfied. Also, a CLO or other securitization vehicle may take actions that delay distributions to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the financing vehicle may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of its debt. As a result, there may be a lag, which could be significant, between the repayment or other realization on a loan or other assets in, and the distribution of cash out of, a CLO or other securitization vehicle, or cash flow may be completely restricted for the life of the CLO or other securitization vehicle. In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO or other securitization vehicle due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force the sale of certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to our shareholders. If we were to form a CLO or other securitization vehicle, to the extent that any losses were incurred by the financing vehicle in respect of any collateral, these losses would be borne first by us as owners of its equity interests. Any equity interests that we were to retain in a CLO or other securitization vehicle would not be secured by its assets and we would rank behind all of its creditors. A CLO or other securitization vehicle, if created, also would likely be consolidated in our financial statements and consequently affect our asset coverage ratio, which may limit our ability to incur additional leverage. See “ ITEM 1. BUSINESS – Regulation as a Business Development Company.” Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments. We are a lender, and loans (and any equity investments we make) typically will be non-controlling investments, meaning we will not be in a position to control the management, operation and strategic decision-making of the companies we invest in (outside of, potentially, the context of a restructuring, insolvency or similar event). As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company we do not control, or in which we do not have a majority ownership position, may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the equity holders and management of such a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. We may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event that we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments. We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates. The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as, SOFR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our Common Shares and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations. An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our Common Shares less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our Common Shares. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business. See “ —Risks Related to Economic Conditions—Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. ” A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. See “ —Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions. ” We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital. We may not realize expected returns on our investment in a portfolio company due to changes in the portfolio company’s financial position or due to an acquisition of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company repays our loans prior to their maturity, we may not receive our expected returns on our invested capital. Many of our investments are structured to provide a disincentive for the borrower to pre-pay or call the security, but this call protection may not cover the full expected value of an investment if that investment is repaid prior to maturity. Middle-market compan | |
| Risks Related to Our Securities [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | Risks Related to Our Securities • An investment in our Common Shares will have limited liquidity. • There is a risk that investors in our Common Shares may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time. • Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk. • Our shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan. Risks Related to Our Securities An investment in our Common Shares will have limited liquidity. Our Common Shares constitute illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market and, unless we consummate an Exchange Listing, none is expected to develop. Investment in the Company is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity inherent in an investment in the Company. A shareholder generally may not sell, assign or transfer its Common Shares without prior written consent of the Adviser, which the Adviser may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. Except in limited circumstances for legal or regulatory purposes, shareholders are not entitled to redeem their shares. Shareholders must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in our Common Shares for an extended period of time. There is a risk that investors in our Common Shares may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time. We intend to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Annual Report. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC or restrictions under our credit facilities, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends. Although a portion of our expected earnings and dividend distributions will be attributable to net interest income, we do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. This may result in substantial fluctuations in our quarterly dividend payments. In some cases where we receive certain upfront fees in connection with loans we originate, we treat the loan as having OID under applicable accounting and tax regulations, even though we have received the corresponding cash. In other cases, however, we may recognize income before or without receiving the corresponding cash, including in connection with the accretion of OID. For other risks associated with debt obligations treated as having OID, see “ —Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments—There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest .” Therefore, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, even though we may not have received the corresponding cash amount. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level income tax. To the extent that the amounts distributed by us exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a shareholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares. The part of the Incentive Fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make Incentive Fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Adviser, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which the write-off is taken and thereby reduce that period’s Incentive Fee payment, if any. In addition, the upper middle-market companies in which we intend to invest may be more susceptible to economic downturns than larger operating companies, and therefore may be more likely to default on their payment obligations to us during recessionary periods. Any such defaults could substantially reduce our net investment income available for distribution in the form of dividends to our shareholders. Certain investors will be subject to Exchange Act filing requirements. Because our Common Shares will be registered under the Exchange Act, ownership information for any person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our Common Shares will have to be disclosed in a Schedule 13G or other filings with the SEC. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes having voting or investment power over the securities. In some circumstances, our shareholders who choose to reinvest their dividends may see their percentage stake in the Company increased to more than 5%, thus triggering this filing requirement. Each shareholder is responsible for determining their filing obligations and preparing the filings. In addition, our shareholders who hold more than 10% of a class of our Common Shares may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, which recaptures for the benefit of the Company profits from the purchase and sale of registered stock (and securities convertible or exchangeable into such registered stock) within a six-month period. Shareholders will bear the responsibility for making all Exchange Act filings to which they may be subject, and are responsible for monitoring their ownership in the Company. Shareholders who fail to make required Exchange Act filings may face enforcement actions and fines from the SEC. Our distributions to shareholders may be funded from expense reimbursements or waivers of investment advisory fees, some of which are subject to repayment pursuant to our Expense Support and Conditional Reimbursement Agreement. Substantial portions of our distributions may be funded through the reimbursement of certain expenses by our Adviser and its affiliates, including through the waiver of certain investment advisory fees by our Adviser. Any such distributions funded through expense reimbursements or waivers of advisory fees will not be based on our investment performance, and can only be sustained if we achieve positive investment performance in future periods and/or our Adviser and its affiliates continue to make such reimbursements or waivers of such fees. Our future repayments of amounts reimbursed or waived by our Adviser or its affiliates will reduce the distributions that shareholders would otherwise receive in the future. There can be no assurance that we will achieve the performance necessary to be able to pay distributions at a specific rate or at all. Our Adviser and its affiliates have no obligation to waive advisory fees or otherwise reimburse expenses in future periods, except as otherwise disclosed under the terms of this offering. Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution. As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at the fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by, and under the oversight of, our Board of Trustees. Decreases in the fair value of our investments relative to amortized cost will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods. In addition, decreases in the fair value of our investments will reduce our NAV. Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk. The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance. There are severe economic consequences for defaulting investors. If shareholders fail to fund their commitment obligations or to make required capital contributions when due, the Company’s ability to complete its investment program or otherwise continue operations may be substantially impaired. A shareholder’s failure to fund such amounts when due causes that shareholder to become a defaulting shareholder. A defaulting shareholder will have ten business days to cure its deficiency following the required funding date, after which the defaulting shareholder will forfeit its right to participate in future investments and 50% of its Common Shares will be transferred to the non-defaulting shareholders on a pro rata basis. If a substantial number of shareholders become defaulting shareholders, this may severely limit opportunities for investment diversification and would likely reduce returns to the Company and restrict the Company’s ability to meet loan obligations. Any single defaulting shareholder could cause substantial costs to be incurred by the Company if such default causes the Company to fail to meet its contractual obligations or if the Company must pursue remedial action against such shareholder. If the Company fails to meet its contractual obligations related to a portfolio investment due to a defaulting shareholder, the relevant portfolio company may have a cause of action against the Company, which may include a claim against assets of the Company other than the Company’s interest in such portfolio company. A creditor of the Company (including a portfolio company with respect to which the Company has failed to meet its contractual obligations) will not be bound to satisfy its claims from the assets attributable to a particular portfolio investment and such creditor generally may seek to satisfy its claims from the assets of the Company as a whole. As a result, if a creditor’s claims relating to a particular portfolio investment exceed the net assets attributable to that portfolio investment, the remaining assets of the Company will likely be subject to such claim. Our shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan. We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends and distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our shareholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Policy ” and “ ITEM 1. BUSINESS—Dividend Reinvestment Plan ” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations. In addition, the number of shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan after an Exchange Listing will be determined based on the market price of our Common Shares, except in circumstances where the market price exceeds our most recently computed net asset value per share, in which case we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share. Accordingly, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may receive a greater number of our Common Shares than the number of shares associated with the market price of our Common Shares, resulting in dilution for other shareholders. Shareholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our Common Shares over time. Special considerations for certain benefit plan investors. We intend to conduct our affairs so that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” under ERISA and the Plan Asset Regulations. In this regard, until such time, if any, as our Common Shares are considered “publicly-offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we intend to limit investment in our Common Shares by “benefit plan investors” (“Benefit Plan Investors”) to less than 25% of the total value of our Common Shares (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations). Investments.” If, notwithstanding our intent, the assets of the Company were deemed to constitute “plan assets” of any shareholder that is a Benefit Plan Investor under ERISA or the Plan Asset Regulations, this would result, among other things, in (i) the application of the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISAto investments made by the Company, and (ii) the possibility that certain transactions in which the Company might seek to engage could constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code. If a prohibited transaction occurs for which no exemption is available, the Adviser and/or any other fiduciary that has engaged in the prohibited transaction could be required to (i) restore to the Benefit Plan Investor any profit realized on the transaction and (ii) reimburse the Benefit Plan Investor for any losses suffered by the Benefit Plan Investor as a result of the investment. In addition, each disqualified person (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) involved could be subject to an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved in the prohibited transaction for each year the transaction continues and, unless the transaction is corrected within statutorily required periods, to an additional tax of 100%. The fiduciaryof a benefit plan investor who decides to invest in the Company could, under certain circumstances, be liable for prohibited transactions or other violations as a result of their investment in the Company or as co-fiduciaries for actions taken by or on behalf of the Company or the Adviser. With respect to a benefit plan investor that is an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) that invests in the Company, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiaries, would cause the IRA to lose its tax-exempt status. In addition, to the extent that the Company represents and/or covenants to any contractual counterparty that (1) the assets of the Company are not assets of the Benefit Plan Investors that invest in the Company and/or (2) the transactions entered into between the Company and the Benefit Plan Investor that invest in the Company do not constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code, and the applicable representation is untrue and/or the applicable covenant is not met, additional liabilities may be incurred, including as a result of the unwinding of the applicable contract. Accordingly, until such time, if any, as our Common Shares constitute “publicly traded securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we have the power, among other things, to (a) reject, in whole or in part, the subscription of any prospective investor to the Company; (b) withhold consent to the transfer of Common Shares, including in circumstances where the Adviser determines necessary or desirable in order to facilitate compliance with ERISA or the Plan Asset Regulations; (c) restrict participation in the dividend reinvestment program such that Benefit Plan Investors are not permitted to participate, and (c) call Drawdown Purchases on a non-pro rata basis, and all Common Shares of the Company shall be subject to such terms and conditions. | |
| General Risk Factors [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | General Risk Factors • Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business. • The effect of global climate change may impact the operations of our portfolio companies. General Risk Factors We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our Common Shares and our ability to pay dividends. Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of the Adviser, its affiliates and third parties, including certain limited TPG-provided services (such as certain information technology services utilized by the Adviser on our behalf). Further, in the ordinary course of our business we or the Adviser engage certain third party service providers to provide us with services necessary for our business. Any failure or interruption of those systems or services, including as a result of the termination or suspension of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be: • sudden electrical or telecommunications outages; • natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes; • disease pandemics; • events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; • outages due to idiosyncratic issues at specific providers; and • cyber-attacks. These events, in turn, could have a meterial adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business. We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws and regulations at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In particular, changes to the laws and regulations governing BDCs or the interpretation of these laws and regulations by the staff of the SEC could disrupt our business model. For example, tax reform legislation could have an adverse impact on us, the credit markets and our portfolio companies, to the extent the reduction in corporate tax rates or limitations on interest expense deductibility impact the credit markets and our portfolio companies. Any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our assets may cause us to alter our investment strategy to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. For more information on tax regulatory risks, see “ Risks Related to our Portfolio Company Investments.” Over the last several years, there has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether these regulations will be implemented or what form they will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business. The Russian invasion of Ukraine may have a material adverse impact on us and our portfolio companies. Commencing in 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to begin massing thousands of military personnel and equipment near its border with Ukraine and in Crimea, representing the largest mobilization since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. President Putin has initiated troop movements into the eastern portion of Ukraine and continues to threaten an all-out invasion of Ukraine. On February 22, 2022, the United States and several European nations announced sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s actions. On February 24, 2022, President Putin commenced a full-scale invasion of Russia’s pre-positioned forces into Ukraine, which could have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the countries in which the Company invests), and therefore could adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments. Furthermore, the conflict between the two nations and the varying involvement of the United States and other NATO countries could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on global economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and the performance of its investments or operations, and the ability of the Company to achieve its investment objectives. Additionally, to the extent that third parties, investors, or related customer bases have material operations or assets in Russia or Ukraine, they may have adverse consequences related to the ongoing conflict. The effect of global climate change may adversely affect our business and impact the operations of our portfolio companies. We and our portfolio companies face risks associated with climate change including risks related to the impact of climate-and ESG-related legislation and regulation (both domestically and internationally), risks related to climate-related business trends, and risks stemming from the physical impacts of climate change. New climate change-related regulations or interpretations of existing laws may result in enhanced disclosure obligations, which could negatively affect us or our portfolio companies and materially increase our regulatory burden. Increased regulations generally increase our costs, and we could continue to experience higher costs if new laws require us to spend more time or buy new technology to comply effectively. At the portfolio company level, while we have increasingly and substantially sought to invest in sectors that are inherently lower carbon intensity (e.g., business services) which decreases transition risk, there are still individual portfolio companies in these and other sectors that could face transition risk if carbon-related regulations or taxes are implemented. Further, advances in climate science may change society’s understanding of sources and magnitudes of negative effects on climate, which could negatively impact portfolio company financial performance and regulatory jeopardy. For our portfolio companies, business trends related to climate change may require capital expenditures, product or service redesigns, and changes to operations and supply chains to meet changing customer expectations. While this can create opportunities, not addressing these changed expectations could create business risks for portfolio companies. Further, significant physical effects of climate change including extreme weather events such as hurricanes or floods, can also have an adverse impact on certain of our portfolio companies and investments, especially our portfolio companies that rely locations in the affected areas. As the effects of climate change increase, we expect the frequency and impact of weather and climate related events and conditions to increase as well. For example, unseasonal or violent weather events can have a material impact to businesses that focus on tourism or recreational travel. Additionally, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increases in the cost of energy could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions. | |
| Federal Income Tax Risks [Member] | | |
| General Description of Registrant [Abstract] | | |
| Risk [Text Block] | Federal Income Tax Risks We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or to satisfy RIC distribution requirements. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, we must, among other things, meet annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. If we do not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash and representing such income. For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as zero coupon securities, debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock, or we may engage in transactions, including debt modifications or exchanges, that require us to recognize income without the corresponding receipt of cash. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. If we do not qualify as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, a non-corporate shareholder will be taxed as though it received a distribution of some of our expenses. A “publicly offered regulated investment company” or “publicly offered RIC” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering within the meaning of Section 4 of the 1933 Act, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While we generally expect to qualify as a RIC, we anticipate that we will not qualify as a publicly offered RIC immediately after the commencement of the Private Offering, although we may qualify as a publicly offered RIC upon the completion of the Private Offering. If we are a RIC that is not a publicly offered RIC for any period, a non-corporate shareholder’sallocable portion of our affected expenses, including our Management Fees, will be treated as an additional distribution to the shareholder and will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions that are deductible only to the extent permitted by applicable law. Under current law, such expenses will not be deductible by any such shareholder for tax years that begin prior to January 1, 2026 and are deductible subject to limitation thereafter. Some of our investments may be subject to corporate-level income tax. We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding and value added taxes). Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues. The Company expects to invest in debt securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Company. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Company may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Company, to the extent necessary, to preserve its status as a RIC and to distribute sufficient income to not become subject to U.S. federal income tax. Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect investors. At any time, the federal income tax laws governing RICs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any of those new laws, regulations or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect the taxation of us or our shareholders. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of an investment in our Common Shares or the value or the resale potential of our investments. Certain shareholders may be subject to U.S. dividend withholding tax on our distributions. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal dividend withholding tax on our distributions unless a withholding tax exemption applies. A shareholder may also be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if it does not comply with applicable U.S. tax requirements to certify its status for U.S. tax purposes. Amounts that are withheld, to the extent in excess of the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, can generally be recovered by filing a U.S. federal income tax return; however, the administrative burden and cost of filing such a U.S. federal income tax return may outweigh the benefit of recovering such amounts. | |
|
| [1] In order to compute the “Corresponding return to shareholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2022 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average stated interest rate of 6.3% by the approximately $538.0 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to shareholders. The return available to shareholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2022 to determine the “Corresponding return to shareholder.” The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2022. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2022 . |
